49 minute read

WHY MIDNIGHT COWBOY

WHY MIDNIGHT COWBOY MATTERS

In a new documentary, director Nancy Buirski explores the legacy of the iconic film.

BY REGINA WEINREICH

John Voight as Joe Buck in Midnight Cowboy

Today’s Disney ed Times Square may be family fare, a lure to tourists, but in the 1960s, New York City’s theater district was a milieu for outliers, vagrants, druggies, sex workers and homosexuals, a squalid setting for John Schlesinger’s groundbreaking 1969 Midnight Cowboy. In her innovative latest documentary, Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy, her fourth to be screened at the HIFF, Nancy Buirski examines the lm’s moment.

Recently back from lm festivals in Venice and Telluride, Buirski observed, “Everyone had seen Midnight Cowboy and had been changed by its compassion, its tenderness, its message that everyone can be loved.” Adapted by screenwriter Waldo Salt from a 1965 novel by James Leo Herlihy, the lm has a documentary feel, complete with a Warhol Factory party scene. At center, two oddballs become unlikely friends: Joe Buck (Jon Voight in a breakout role), a baby-faced dishwasher from rural Texas who wants to make it big hustling rich, city women, meets con man and petty thief Ratso Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman proving he could perform a darker role coming off the huge success of The Graduate). His loping gait memorable, Ratso demands to be seen. Crossing a crowded street, he bangs on a cab’s hood: “I’m walking here.”

Evocative clips become a springboard from which Buirski teases out themes of economic disparity, sexuality and violence. The lone cowboy image informs a discussion of the 1964 Goldwater/Johnson presidential election and homoerotic notions of masculinity in the Vietnam War era. Especially good is critic J. Hoberman on the innovative lmmaking of that time.

Reputed to be the only X-rated lm to win the Best Picture Oscar, Midnight Cowboy’s few sex scenes are mostly gay, and re ective of the ’60s, they are potentially violent. A teen played by Bob Balaban goes down on Joe Buck in a public lavatory, and cannot pay him. Speaking over 50 years later, the actor opines, today such a lm could not be green-lit. But as director Brian De Palma describes that heyday for young lmmakers, Hollywood was looking to sell tickets, which was liberating for creatives like Schlesinger, attuned to the zeitgeist. The Sound of Music wasn’t cutting it. Younger audiences were rebelling, breaking rules in real life, and wanted much more from art than what was conventional.

Buirski had invited culture critic Luc Sante to be in the lm. Serendipitously, Luc was gender transitioning to Lucy, and in the documentary offers much to the conversation about gender. “When you make a lm, you never know where it will take you,” Buirski said. “Gender rede nition— that’s the new frontier.” Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy screens at this year’s Hamptons International Film Festival. See hamptons lmfest.org for times.

EAST COAST PREMIERE, NARRATIVE FEATURE, UK, 2022, 102 MINUTES, ENGLISH

LIVING

In this elegant reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s beloved classic IKIRU, BAFTA Award® winner Bill Nighy delivers a remarkable performance as Mr. Williams, a dedicated civil servant living in post-World War II London who receives an earth-shattering diagnosis, forcing him to take stock of his lonely existence. In the hopes of answering life’s most important questions, he sets out on a series of adventures, determined to find some fulfillment before time runs out. Magnificently scripted by Kazuo Ishiguro (Nobel Prize-winning author of The Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go), and exquisitely helmed by Oliver Hermanus, LIVING is the story of an ordinary man who, at the eleventh hour, makes a supreme e ort to turn his life into something wonderful. A Sony Pictures Classics release.

10/7 7PM EAST HAMPTON - EHMS 10/8 8:30PM SAG HARBOR - SHC2

DIRECTOR

Oliver Hermanus

SCREENWRITER Kazuo Ishiguro

PRODUCERS

Stephen Woolley Elizabeth Karlsen

CAST

Bill Nighy Aimee Lou Wood Alex Sharp Tom Burke

SPONSORED BY

THE SON

10/9 7PM EAST HAMPTON - EHMS 10/10 11AM SAG HARBOR - SHC1

WOMEN TALKING

10/11 8PM EAST HAMPTON - UA1 10/14 8:45PM EAST HAMPTON - UA1

EAST COAST PREMIERE, NARRATIVE FEATURE, UK, 2022, 123 MINUTES, ENGLISH

THE SON is a searing portrait of today’s mental health crisis, as viewed through the lens of a fractured American family. Seventeen-year-old Nicholas (Zen McGrath) is struggling to cope after his parents’ divorce, leaving his mother Kate (Laura Dern) and father Peter (Hugh Jackman) at a loss. Although Peter tries to provide for his son in ways his own father (Anthony Hopkins) never did, he fails to see what’s right in front of him. With career-defining performances and razor-sharp storytelling, acclaimed novelist and playwright Florian Zeller (THE FATHER) crafts the second installment of his planned trilogy with authenticity and compassion. A Sony Pictures Classics release.

DIRECTOR: Florian Zeller SCREENWRITERS: Florian Zeller, Christopher Hampton PRODUCERS: Joanna Laurie, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Florian Zeller, Christophe Spadone EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Hugh Jackman CAST: Hugh Jackman, Laura Dern, Vanessa Kirby, Zen McGrath, Anthony Hopkins

NARRATIVE FEATURE, USA, 2022, 104 MINUTES, ENGLISH

Adapted from Miriam Toews’ acclaimed novel of the same name, Academy Award®-nominated writerdirector Sarah Polley’s (AWAY FROM HER, STORIES WE TELL) latest considers the cloistered lives of a group of women residing in an isolated, religious colony. When their spirituality is shaken by the discovery of widespread sexual abuse within their Mennonite community, they clandestinely gather to try and reconcile their devout faith with their growing desire for justice. Featuring sensational performances from Frances McDormand, Claire Foy, Rooney Mara, Jessie Buckley and Judith Ivey, WOMEN TALKING is a triumphant tale of faith, sovereignty and the responsibility we have to ourselves and others. A United Artists release.

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: Sarah Polley PRODUCERS: Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Frances McDormand CAST: Claire Foy, Rooney Mara, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey, Ben Whishaw, Frances McDormand

NEW YORK PREMIERE, DOCUMENTARY FEATURE, USA, 2022, 87 MINUTES, ENGLISH

SR.

With a canon of fearlessly satirical underground classics including PUTNEY SWOPE and GREASER’S PALACE, visionary American director Robert Downey Sr. set the standard for comedic counterculture cinema in the ’60s and ’70s. In collaboration with both Downey and his son—celebrated actor Robert Downey Jr.—award-winning documentarian Chris Smith (AMERICAN MOVIE, FYRE: THE GREATEST PARTY THAT NEVER HAPPENED, and executive producer of Tiger King) crafts a loving portrait of the pioneering indie filmmaker in the final years of his life. Shot in textured black-and-white, and featuring intimate interviews from loved ones, SR. is a tender—and fittingly irreverent—tribute to the beloved artist, friend and father.

10/15 7:15PM EAST HAMPTON - UA1 10/15 7:45PM EAST HAMPTON - UA2

DIRECTOR Chris Smith

PRODUCERS

Susan Downey Kevin Ford Robert Downey Jr. Emily Barclay Ford

THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN

10/9 3:45PM EAST HAMPTON - EHMS 10/10 7:45PM EAST HAMPTON - UA2

NARRATIVE FEATURE, UK/IRELAND/USA, 2022, 114 MINUTES, ENGLISH

In a 1920s fictitious town o the coast of west Ireland, Colm (Brendan Gleeson) abruptly ends his lifelong friendship with Padraic (Colin Farrell) without an explanation. Unable to accept it, Padraic goes to great lengths to get their relationship back on track. When his attempts are met with hostility, the situation escalates, with shocking consequences for everyone involved. Farrell, Gleeson and Academy Award®-winning director Martin McDonagh (THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE OF EBBING, MISSOURI; IN BRUGES) reunite for THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, a wild, riotous tale full of McDonagh’s signature blend of poignant interpersonal drama and explosive dark comedy. A Searchlight Pictures release.

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: Martin McDonagh PRODUCERS: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Martin McDonagh CAST: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, Barry Keoghan

CALL JANE

10/9 5PM EAST HAMPTON - UA1 10/14 5:45PM EAST HAMPTON - UA1

DEVOTION

10/8 11:15AM SAG HARBOR - SHC1 10/9 12:15PM EAST HAMPTON - EHMS

EAST COAST PREMIERE, NARRATIVE FEATURE, USA, 2022, 121 MINUTES, ENGLISH

Chicago, 1968. The ordinary life of suburban housewife Joy (Elizabeth Banks, delivering a career-best performance), is turned upside down when her unexpected pregnancy leads to a life-threatening condition. With the all-male medical establishment unwilling to intervene, Joy turns to the clandestine network of women known as the “Janes,” for urgent, life-saving healthcare. Skillfully helmed by Phyllis Nagy (Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter of CAROL), and inspired by the true, covert activism of the Jane Collective— whose underground abortions saved the lives of thousands of women in the late ’60s—CALL JANE is a powerful and timely tale of resistance and resilience in the fight for bodily autonomy. A Roadside Attractions release.

DIRECTOR: Phyllis Nagy SCREENWRITERS: Hayley Schore, Roshan Sethi PRODUCERS: Robbie Brenner, David Wulf, Kevin McKeon, Lee Broda, Claude Amadeo, Michael D’Alto CAST: Elizabeth Banks, Sigourney Weaver, Chris Messina, Kate Mara, Wunmi Mosaku, Cory Michael Smith

U.S. PREMIERE, NARRATIVE FEATURE, USA, 2022, 138 MINUTES, ENGLISH/KOREAN

Based on the bestselling book by Adam Makos, J.D. Dillard’s awe-inspiring new feature is an aerial war epic inspired by the real-life stories of two elite U.S. Navy fighter pilots during the Korean War. The first African American pilot to graduate from Navy training, Jesse Brown (Jonathan Majors, DA 5 BLOODS) faces racist hostility in a recently desegregated military. In the face of great danger and uncertainty, he forms a deep bond with fellow aviator Tom Hundner (Glen Powell, TOP GUN: MAVERICK). With outstanding performances and jaw-dropping cinematography, DEVOTION is an unforgettable tale of friendship and courage. A Sony Pictures Entertainment release.

DIRECTOR: J.D. Dillard SCREENWRITERS: Jake Crane, Jonathan A. H. Stewart PRODUCERS: Molly Smith, Rachel Smith, Thad Luckinbill, Trent Luckinbill CAST: Jonathan Majors, Glen Powell, Christina Jackson, Thomas Sadoski, Joe Jonas

EMPIRE OF LIGHT

10/9 8:30PM SAG HARBOR - SHC1 10/10 2PM EAST HAMPTON - EHMS

MY POLICEMAN

10/9 10:45AM EAST HAMPTON - UA1 10/10 2PM SAG HARBOR - SHC1

ROSALINE

10/9 8:15PM EAST HAMPTON - UA1 10/10 11:15AM EAST HAMPTON - UA2

NARRATIVE FEATURE, UK/USA, 2022, 119 MINUTES, ENGLISH

Academy Award® nominee Sam Mendes (1917) celebrates the magic of cinema in this poignant story of human perseverance. In 1980s Britain, Hilary (Academy Award® winner Olivia Colman) works at a small seaside cinema, struggling to tolerate her unpleasant manager (Academy Award® winner Colin Firth) as she wades through her monotonous routine. When Hilary forms an unlikely bond with an enthusiastic new employee (BAFTA® winner Micheal Ward), the pair use movies and each other’s company to escape the darkness in their own lives. Arrestingly shot by Roger Deakins and featuring magnetic performances from Colman and Ward, EMPIRE OF LIGHT o ers a cinematic antidote to a hostile world. A Searchlight Pictures release.

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: Sam Mendes PRODUCERS: Pippa Harris, Sam Mendes CAST: Olivia Colman, Micheal Ward, Colin Firth, Toby Jones, Tom Brooke, Tanya Moodie, Hannah Onslow, Crystal Clarke

NARRATIVE FEATURE, UK/USA, 2022, 113 MINUTES, ENGLISH

In 1950s Britain, police o cer Tom (Harry Styles) and schoolteacher Marion (Emma Corrin, The Crown) fall into a picture-perfect relationship, but when Tom meets charming museum curator Patrick (David Dawson), the three form a dangerous love triangle at a time when homosexuality was illegal. Years later, Tom (now played by Linus Roache), Marion (Gina McKee) and Patrick (Rupert Everett) each search for ways to heal the wounds of the past. Director Michael Grandage helms this heartwrenching, visually stunning adaptation of the award-winning novel of the same name, illuminating the quiet joys and painful consequences of queer life obscured by history, with integrity, honesty and empathy. An Amazon Prime Video release.

DIRECTOR: Michael Grandage SCREENWRITER: Ron Nyswaner PRODUCERS: Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Robbie Rogers, Cora Palfrey, Philip Herd CAST: Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, David Dawson, Rupert Everett, Gina McKee, Linus Roache

EAST COAST PREMIERE, NARRATIVE FEATURE, USA, 2022, 95 MINUTES, ENGLISH

ROSALINE is a fresh and comedic twist on Shakespeare’s classic love story “Romeo & Juliet,” told from the perspective of Juliet’s cousin Rosaline (Kaitlyn Dever, “Dopesick,” HIFF 10 Actors to Watch 2014), who also happens to be Romeo’s recent love interest. Heartbroken when Romeo (Kyle Allen) meets Juliet (Isabela Merced) and begins to pursue her, Rosaline schemes to foil the famous romance and win back her guy. Directed by Karen Maine (screenwriter, OBVIOUS CHILD) and based on the novel When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle, this romantic comedy features sharply funny performances by Bradley Whitford and Minne Driver, delivering a clever update to a timeless story. A Hulu release.

DIRECTOR: Karen Maine SCREENWRITERS: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber PRODUCERS: Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, Dan Levine CAST: Kaitlyn Dever, Minnie Driver, Bradley Whitford, Isabela Merced, Kyle Allen, Sean Teale

THE SAME STORM

10/10 2:30PM EAST HAMPTON - UA1

NEW YORK PREMIERE, NARRATIVE FEATURE, USA, 2021, 99 MINUTES, ENGLISH

HIFF alum Peter Hedges (WHAT’S EATING GILBERT GRAPE?, BEN IS BACK) returns with an imaginative and moving snapshot of the tumult of the COVID-19 pandemic’s early days. Resourcefully shot on iPhones and laptops, Hedges crafts an intimate look into the lives of 24 characters navigating a new, uncertain world. Against the backdrops of lockdowns, Black Lives Matter and the looming 2020 election, the film explores the necessity of human connection, love and the ability to find empathy in a fraught, untenable time. Featuring an all-star cast—including Elaine May in her first film role in 21 years—THE SAME STORM is a unique and hopeful story that celebrates art’s ability to connect us all. A Juno Films release.

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: Peter Hedges PRODUCERS: Dianne Dreyer, Elizabeth Cuthrell, David Urrutia CAST: Sandra Oh, Mary-Louise Parker, Elaine May, Moses Ingram, Raúl Castillo, Noma Dumezweni

SHE SAID

10/16 4:45PM EAST HAMPTON - UA1

NARRATIVE FEATURE, USA, 2022, 122 MINUTES, ENGLISH

In 2017, New York Times journalists Jodi Kantor (Zoe Kazan, THE BIG SICK) and Megan Twohey (Carey Mulligan, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN) brought Harvey Weinstein’s decades-long alleged behavior of harassment and assault to the surface. Facing obstacles at every turn, their courageous investigation uncovered systemic abuse and collusion throughout the film industry, and provided a platform for women to speak their truths. Directed by Emmy® winner Maria Schrader (“Unorthodox”), SHE SAID honors the heroic reporting of one of the most important stories in a generation—one that helped propel the #MeToo movement, shattered decades of silence around the subject of sexual assault in Hollywood, and altered American culture forever. A Universal Pictures release.

DIRECTOR: Maria Schrader SCREENWRITER: Rebecca Lenkiewicz PRODUCERS: Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Megan Ellison, Sue Naegle CAST: Carey Mulligan, Zoe Kazan, Patricia Clarkson, Andre Braugher, Jennifer Ehle

TILL

10/12 7:45PM EAST HAMPTON - UA1

NARRATIVE FEATURE, USA, 2022, 130 MINUTES, ENGLISH

Mississippi, 1955. While in town visiting some cousins, 14-year-old Emmett Till (Jalyn Hall) is kidnapped and lynched after he is wrongfully accused of harassing a white woman (Haley Bennett). Facing an establishment unwilling to hold her son’s murderers accountable for their unimaginable brutality, Emmett’s devastated mother, Mamie Till Mobley (Danielle Deadwyler), channels her indescribable grief into a relentless pursuit of justice—her fearless activism an instrumental contribution to the civil rights movement. Featuring astonishing performances from its flawless cast and powerful direction from HIFF alum Chinonye Chukwu (CLEMENCY), TILL showcases the universal power of one mother’s ability to change the world. A United Artists release.

DIRECTOR: Chinonye Chukwu SCREENWRITERS: Michael Reilly, Keith Beauchamp, Chinonye Chukwu PRODUCERS: Keith Beauchamp, Barbara Broccoli, Whoopi Goldberg, Thomas Levine, Michael Reilly, Frederick Zollo CAST: Danielle Deadwyler, Jalyn Hall, Frankie Faison, Haley Bennett, Whoopi Goldberg

THE WHALE

10/8 5:15PM EAST HAMPTON - EHMS

EAST COAST PREMIERE, NARRATIVE FEATURE, USA, 2022, 117 MINUTES, ENGLISH

Academy Award® nominee Darren Aronofsky (BLACK SWAN, THE WRESTLER) returns to the festival with the story of Charlie (Brendan Fraser, in a career-defining comeback performance), an online English teacher confined to his home due to his severe obesity. When his health issues escalate, he reconnects with his long-estranged teenage daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink, ‘Stranger Things’) in an attempt to rejoin the world that rejected him. Based on the award-winning play by Samuel D. Hunter, who also adapted the screenplay, THE WHALE is a gritty yet compassionate story that draws self-acceptance and redemption out of darkness and shame. An A24 release.

DIRECTOR: Darren Aronofsky SCREENWRITER: Samuel D. Hunter PRODUCERS: Jeremy Dawson, Ari Handel, Darren Aronofsky CAST: Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, Samantha Morton

WHO INVITED CHARLIE?

10/8 2:15PM EAST HAMPTON - EHMS 10/9 2PM SOUTHAMPTON ARTS CENTER

WORLD PREMIERE, NARRATIVE FEATURE, USA, 2022, 101 MINUTES, ENGLISH

March 2020. With COVID-19 on the rise in NYC, self-centered hedge fund manager Phil Schreiber (Reid Scott, ‘Veep’) escapes to the Hamptons with his wife Rosie (Jordana Brewster, THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS) and son Max (Peter Dager) to ride out the lockdown. Their fraught situation is worsened by the unexpected arrival of Phil’s pot-smoking, bloody mary-swilling former college roommate, Charlie (Adam Pally, ‘Happy Endings’). Armed with untold secrets from Phil’s murky past, Charlie inserts himself into their bubble and quickly makes himself at home. A darkly funny tale of family and friendship, Xavier Manrique’s WHO INVITED CHARLIE? hilariously chronicles the quarantine experience with humor and humanity. Also listed in Views From Long Island.

DIRECTOR: Xavier Manrique SCREENWRITER: Nicholas Schutt PRODUCERS: Jason Dubin, Reid Scott, Nicholas Schutt, Xavier Manrique CAST: Adam Pally, Jordana Brewster, Reid Scott, Peter Dager, Xosha Roquemore, Dylan Penn

Merchandise will be on sale during the festival at Regal UA East Hampton Cinema.

Purchase online at HamptonsFilm.org

TSHIRTS HATS HOODIES POSTERS WINE TOTES BAGS

This program is dedicated to showcasing films that deal with the complex issues and societal e ects of war, violence and injustice. Since this signature section was launched over 20 years ago, it has continued to stimulate discussion about major issues and conflicts of our time.

FREEDOM ON FIRE: UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

10/8 5PM 10/9 2PM EAST HAMPTON - UA4 SAG HARBOR - SHC2

OUR FATHER, THE DEVIL

10/8 8:30PM EAST HAMPTON - UA4 10/10 4:30PM EAST HAMPTON - UA4

A RADICAL LIFE

10/9 1:15PM EAST HAMPTON - UA4 10/10 11AM EAST HAMPTON - UA4

U.S. PREMIERE, DOCUMENTARY FEATURE, UKRAINE/UK/USA, 2022, 114 MINUTES, UKRAINIAN/RUSSIAN

Academy Award® nominee Evgeny Afineevsky (WINTER ON FIRE) received widespread acclaim at the Venice Film Festival for his latest feature, a gripping, urgent record of the war in Ukraine and the resilience of its people. Holding an unflinching gaze upon the violence perpetrated against the Ukrainian civilians whose lives have been upended by Russia’s invasion, Afineevsky deftly contextualizes on-the-ground events within the region’s larger geopolitical history. Constructed primarily through moving interviews with survivors and harrowing firsthand footage, FREEDOM ON FIRE gives voice to the people of Ukraine as their democracy undergoes an existential assault. Narrator: Helen Mirren

DIRECTOR: Evgeny Afineevsky PRODUCERS: Evgeny Afineevsky, Will Znidaric, Ted Hope, Galyna Sadomtseva-Nabaranchuk, Shahida Tulaganova, Inna Goncharova

NARRATIVE FEATURE, USA, 2021, 108 MINUTES, FRENCH

Marie Cissé’s (Babetida Sadjo) quiet life working as a chef in a French countryside retirement home is shattered when she recognizes Father Patrick (Souléymane Sy Savané), a charming visiting priest, from her home village in Cameroon. As his arrival unearths a harrowing ordeal she had buried in her past, Marie must decide how to confront him. Featuring powerful standout performances by Sadjo and Savané, OUR FATHER THE DEVIL skillfully grapples with questions of trauma, guilt and revenge that embody the struggle to heal. Ellie Foumbi’s gripping directorial debut won the Audience Award at the Tribeca Film Festival.

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: Ellie Foumbi PRODUCERS: Ellie Foumbi, Joseph Mastantuono CAST: Babetida Sadjo, Souléymane Sy Savané, Jennifer Tchiakpe, Franck Saurel, Martine Amisse

WORLD PREMIERE, DOCUMENTARY FEATURE, USA, 2022, 84 MINUTES, ENGLISH

Acclaimed filmmaker and HIFF alum Ricki Stern (JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK) delivers an unfiltered look inside the mind of Tania Joya, the former “first lady” of ISIS who spent 12 years married to the highest-ranking American in ISIS, John Georgelas. From a working-class Bangladeshi family in Britain, Tania’s desire for purpose and belonging drew her to Islamic extremism following 9/11. When John’s devotion took them to Syria during that country’s civil war, Tania was faced with an impossible decision. A RADICAL LIFE o ers unique insight into her journey of blind devotion, false promises and misguided idealism. A Warner Bros/Discovery+ release.

DIRECTOR: Ricki Stern PRODUCERS: Ricki Stern, Lisa Kalikow

RETROGRADE

10/10 2PM EAST HAMPTON - UA4

EAST COAST PREMIERE, DOCUMENTARY FEATURE, USA, 2022, 94 MINUTES, ENGLISH/DARI/PASHTO

Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® winner Matthew Heineman’s (CARTEL LAND, THE FIRST WAVE) newest work captures the final nine months of America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan from multiple perspectives: one of the last U.S. Special Forces units deployed there; a young Afghan general and his corps fighting to defend their homeland against all odds; and the civilians desperately attempting to flee as the country collapses and the Taliban take over. From rarely seen operational control rooms to the front lines of battle to the chaotic Kabul airport during the final U.S. withdrawal, RETROGRADE o ers a cinematic and historic window into the end of America’s longest war, and the costs endured for those most intimately involved. A National Geographic Documentary Films release.

DIRECTOR: Matthew Heineman PRODUCERS: Matthew Heineman, Caitlin McNally

THE SWIMMERS

10/9 7:45PM SOUTHAMPTON ARTS CENTER 10/10 7:30PM EAST HAMPTON - UA4

U.S. PREMIERE, NARRATIVE FEATURE, UK, 2022, 134 MINUTES, ENGLISH/ ARABIC

Based on a true story, renowned director Sally El Hosaini’s electric new feature THE SWIMMERS is a deeply moving exploration of Europe’s refugee crisis, the bonds of family and the resilience needed to pursue one’s dreams. Set in the midst of the Syrian Civil War, star swimmers Yusra and Sara Mardini (real-life sisters Manal and Nathalie Issa) must flee their war-torn home in a desperate attempt to train in Germany for the 2016 Rio Olympics. As asylum seekers, they face monumental obstacles together, traveling across oceans and borders as they contend with their di erences while trying to stay true to themselves. A Netflix release.

DIRECTOR: Sally El Hosaini SCREENWRITERS: Jack Thorne, Sally El Hosaini PRODUCERS: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Tim Cole, Ali Jaafar EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Stephen Daldry CAST: Manal Issa, Nathalie Issa, Matthias Schweighöfer, Ahmed Malek

CONFLICT AND RESOLUTION SHORTS PROGRAM

10/7 4:30PM EAST HAMPTON - UA5

ANASTASIA

DIRECTOR: SARAH MCCARTHY Russian activist Anastasia Shevchenko was arrested and detained under house for speaking out against the government, with devastating personal consequences. As Anastasia and her family travel across Russia by train, she comes to grips with her loss and what it means to fight for freedom.

THE FLAGMAKERS

DIRECTORS: CYNTHIA WADE, SHARON LIESE

A peek into the country’s largest American flag and flagpole manufacturer, where refugees and immigrants who have risked everything to come to the USA, alongside their Midwestern co-workers, stitch and sew 5 million American flags a year.

STRANGER AT THE GATE

DIRECTOR: JOSH SEFTEL

After 25 years of service, U.S. Marine Mac McKinney returns home to Indiana full of rage, determined to continue his fight for his country. When he meets the community at his local mosque, his destructive plans take an unexpected turn. 91 MINUTES

NEW YORK PREMIERE, DOCUMENTARY SHORT, RUSSIA/USA, 2022, 26 MINUTES, RUSSIAN

NEW YORK PREMIERE, DOCUMENTARY SHORT, USA, 2022, 35 MINUTES, ENGLISH

DOCUMENTARY SHORT, USA, 2021, 30 MINUTES, ENGLISH

In 2002, HIFF and longtime partner the Su olk County Film Commission inaugurated the Views From Long Island program, focusing on local filmmakers, the area’s unique landscapes and the important social and political issues facing Long Island communities today.

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY:

HOW ONE TOWN STOOD AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

10/13 7:30PM EAST HAMPTON - UA1

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE, USA, 2022, 62 MINUTES, ENGLISH

In the mid-1980s, when abuse insidiously took hold in the lives of three women, a small grassroots group of locals tapped into the good will of the local Rotary Club and the town of East Hampton to establish a shelter called The Retreat, which opened in 1992. Director Markie Hancock uncovers a narrative of survival and empowerment as she retraces the improbable beginnings of The Retreat and its mission to provide safety, shelter and support to victims of domestic violence. A story of resilience, hope and inspiration in the face of fraught times, THE POWER OF COMMUNITY is a moving and empathetic testament to a lifesaving local institution.

DIRECTOR: Markie Hancock PRODUCERS: Kathryn Gregorio, Kim Nichols, Vanessa Petruccelli

THE QUIET EPIDEMIC

10/16, 11AM EAST HAMPTON - UA1

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE, USA, 2022, 102 MINUTES, ENGLISH

After su ering mysterious, debilitating symptoms for years, 11-year-old Julia receives a controversial diagnosis of chronic Lyme disease, an illness dismissed by many. Gaslit by doctors and insurance companies at nearly every turn, Julia and her father are left with no choice but to take desperate action—thrusting their family into the middle of a contentious debate dating back nearly 50 years. A disturbing investigation reveals a paper trail of suppressed scientific research on why ticks—and the diseases they carry—have been allowed to quietly spread around the world. A powerful indictment of institutional corruption, Lindsay Keys and Winslow Crane-Murdoch’s THE QUIET EPIDEMIC is a tribute to those working tirelessly to uncover the truth and find a solution.

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITERS: Lindsay Keys, Winslow Crane-Murdoch PRODUCERS: Daria Lombroso, Lindsay Keys, Chris Hegedus

WHO INVITED CHARLIE?

10/8 2:15PM EAST HAMPTON - EHMS 10/9 2PM SOUTHAMPTON ARTS CENTER

WORLD PREMIERE, NARRATIVE FEATURE, USA, 2022, 101 MINUTES, ENGLISH

March 2020. With COVID-19 on the rise in NYC, self-centered hedge fund manager Phil Schreiber (Reid Scott, “Veep”) escapes to the Hamptons with his wife, Rosie (Jordana Brewster, THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS), and son, Max (Peter Dager), to ride out the lockdown. Their fraught situation is worsened by the unexpected arrival of Phil’s pot-smoking, bloody mary-swilling former college roommate, Charlie (Adam Pally, ‘Happy Endings’). Armed with untold secrets from Phil’s murky past, Charlie inserts himself into their bubble and quickly makes himself at home. A darkly funny tale of family and friendship, Xavier Manrique’s WHO INVITED CHARLIE? hilariously chronicles the quarantine experience with humor and humanity. Also screening in Spotlight.

DIRECTOR: Xavier Manrique SCREENWRITER: Nicholas Schutt PRODUCERS: Jason Dubin, Reid Scott, Nicholas Schutt, Xavier Manrique CAST: Adam Pally, Jordana Brewster, Reid Scott, Peter Dager, Xosha Roquemore, Dylan Penn

Founded in 2016 with the goal to generate awareness around man-made environmental issues, this section fosters a deeper appreciation for our planet, and allows filmmakers and experts to share information and discuss solutions to the global issues of environmental conservation.

SPONSORED BY

THE COW WHO SANG A SONG INTO THE FUTURE

‘LA VACA QUE CANTÓ UNA CANCIÓN HACIA EL FUTURO’

10/7 12:30PM EAST HAMPTON - UA3 10/8 NOON SAG HARBOR - SHC2

NARRATIVE FEATURE, FRANCE/GERMANY/CHILE/USA, 2022, 93 MINUTES, SPANISH

Francisca Alegría’s striking feature debut is a lyrical eco-fable of family, renewal and resurrection. Polluted with the industrial waste of a nearby factory, the toxic waters of the Cruces River in southern Chile have become inhospitable to the surrounding local wildlife. Yet among the floating bodies of lifeless fish, the longdead Magdalena (Mía Maestro, FRIDA, THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES) inexplicably rises to the surface and returns to her family’s dairy farm. Mysterious and meditative, THE COW WHO SANG A SONG INTO THE FUTURE skillfully connects long ignored alarms of impending environmental devastation to one family’s need to address intergenerational traumas. A Kino Lorber release.

DIRECTOR: Francisca Alegría SCREENWRITERS: Francisca Alegría, Fernanda Urrejola, Manuela Infante PRODUCERS: Tom Dercourt, Alejandra García CAST: Leonor Varela, Mía Maestro, Alfredo Castro, Marcial Tagle, Enzo Ferrada

THE FOREST MAKER

10/7 4PM EAST HAMPTON - UA4 10/8 5:45PM SAG HARBOR - SHC2

INTO THE WEEDS: DEWAYNE “LEE” JOHNSON VS. MONSANTO COMPANY

10/8 3PM SAG HARBOR - SHC2

U.S. PREMIERE, DOCUMENTARY FEATURE, GERMANY, 2022, 87 MINUTES, ENGLISH/HAUSA

Esteemed New German Cinema luminary and Academy Award® winner Volker Schlöndor ’s (THE TIN DRUM) first documentary follows renowned Australian agronomist Tony Rinaudo as he works with farmers across the Sahel region of Africa to implement his innovative reforestation technique. Together, Rinaudo and local leaders heal the areas damaged by destructive agricultural practices implemented under European colonialism, restoring not only the soil, but also the dignity and hope of the people that rely on the land. Delivering refreshing optimism in the face of an ecological crisis, THE FOREST MAKER is a testament to the ability of empathy and collaboration to uplift communities and revitalize our natural world.

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: Volker Schlöndor PRODUCERS: Volker Schlöndor , Thomas Kufus, Kornelia Themen

U.S. PREMIERE, DOCUMENTARY FEATURE, CANADA, 2022, 96 MINUTES, ENGLISH

Following a devastating diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Bay Area groundskeeper Dewayne “Lee” Johnson began to question if his terminal illness was rooted in his exposure to Roundup, a popular herbicide widely used by agricultural workers, landscapers and suburban homeowners. When the World Health Organization determined that the product is likely carcinogenic to humans and harmful to our ecosystems, Johnson became the unlikely face of a fierce legal battle to hold agrochemical giant Monsanto accountable for its negligence and corruption. Deftly contextualizing Johnson’s personal journey within the larger global environmental crisis, celebrated documentarian Jennifer Baichwal incisively examines our society’s fraught relationship with the natural world in this thrilling David vs. Goliath fight for justice.

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: Jennifer Baichwal PRODUCERS: Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Geralyn Dreyfous

This section provides a platform for filmmakers to share stories of inspiration and tools for creating a safe and humane world for all living beings, encouraging dialogue about how we treat and view animals as a community. With support from our generous donors.

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ALL THAT BREATHES

10/13 5PM EAST HAMPTON - UA1 10/14 11:15AM EAST HAMPTON - UA2

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE, INDIA/UK/USA, 2022, 93 MINUTES, HINDI

For decades, Muslim brothers Saud and Nadeem have tirelessly devoted their lives to the quixotic e ort of protecting black kites—majestic birds of prey that are essential to the ecosystem and have been falling from New Delhi’s darkening skies at alarming rates. Amid pervasive environmental toxicity and social turbulence, the brothers spend day and night caring for these creatures in their makeshift avian basement hospital. Winner of the Documentary Grand Jury Prize at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, ALL THAT BREATHES is a mesmerizing chronicle of interspecies coexistence amid an ever-shifting social and environmental landscape. A Sideshow/Janus Films release. Also screens in Documentary Competition.

DIRECTOR: Shaunak Sen PRODUCERS: Teddy Leifer, Aman Mann, Shaunak Sen

EO

10/14 3PM 10/16 2PM EAST HAMPTON - UA1 EAST HAMPTON - UA1

KENTUCKY PRIDE

10/12 5:30PM EAST HAMPTON - UA1

NARRATIVE FEATURE, POLAND/UK/ITALY, 2022, 88 MINUTES, POLISH/ENGLISH/FRENCH/ITALIAN

Inspired by Robert Bresson’s timeless classic AU HASARD BALTHAZAR, the latest film from auteur director Jerzy Skolimowski is an existential exploration of modern life in Europe told through the eyes of its unlikely protagonist, EO the donkey. EO’s various encounters with people and places take us on a mesmerizing and thought-provoking odyssey encapsulating the life of a humble creature. A modern fable, EO contends with humanity at its kindest and most tender, as well as its proclivity for cruelty and su ering. Winner of the Jury Prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, EO is a visually audacious examination of innocence and the natural world. A Sideshow/Janus Films release.

DIRECTOR: Jerzy Skolimowski SCREENWRITERS: Ewa Piaskowska, Jerzy Skolimowski PRODUCERS: Ewa Piaskowska, Jerzy Skolimowski CAST: Sandra Drzymalska, Mateusz Kościukiewicz, Lorenzo Zurzolo, Isabelle Huppert

NARRATIVE FEATURE, USA, 1925, 86 MINUTES, ENGLISH

This little-seen gem by John Ford tells the story of a thoroughbred largely through the point of view of the horse, who casts her animal gaze on the troubled family of Southern aristocrats who own, sell and eventually reclaim her, as her colt becomes a futurity winner. Screenwriter Dorothy Yost made a specialty of horse stories, including the 1948 Republic favorite THE STRAWBERRY ROAN. With cameos by several celebrated racehorses of the period, including Man o’ War. New 4K restoration from nitrate elements held by MoMA, funded by Twentieth Century Fox. — Dave Kehr, The Museum of Modern Art Join us for this rare film, experienced in the way audiences first saw it almost 100 years ago: with live piano accompaniment. Donald Sosin is one of the world’s leading silent film musicians, performing his keyboard and instrumental scores all over the world.

DIRECTOR: John Ford SCREENWRITER: Dorothy Yost CAST: Henry B. Walthall, Gertrude Astor, Peaches Jackson

Join us for food, fun and casual conversation with exciting special guests at Rowdy Hall in East Hampton. Doors open at 9:30AM; first come, first served. Free admission!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 10AM EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE: Verse Jumping Back Into Theaters

As the box o ce struggled to return from the doldrums of winter and the continuing pandemic, a surprise indie hit drew audiences back into theaters, grossing over $100 million and garnering critical and audience acclaim. Dive into the making of A24’s EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE and its runaway success with co-directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (professionally known as Daniels) and this year’s HIFF Breakthrough Artist Stephanie Hsu, as they dissect how they turned a unique indie film concept with a wholly original premise into a massive hit capturing the spirit of the moment.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 10AM DOCUMENTING DEMOCRACY

A recent poll found that a majority of Americans consider democracy to be in jeopardy in the United States, mirroring threats to its existence in many regions around the world. Within this current climate, documentary filmmaking is emerging as a powerful tool to shed light on stories of individuals and institutions fighting to maintain equality and freedom on a global scale. Hear from a dynamic group of committed filmmakers about how their work can help to ensure that a multitude of voices are heard.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10 10AM A MORNING WITH CHRIS COLUMBUS

Chris Columbus has written and directed some of the most beloved films of the past 25 years, creating iconic images that have entered the collective unconscious of film lovers around the world with films like HOME ALONE, MRS. DOUBTFIRE, THE GOONIES and several entries in the HARRY POTTER franchise. He has found success in crafting both children’s films and those that explore the complexity of adulthood. HamptonsFilm Advisory Board member Michael H. Weber, himself a successful screenwriter (500 DAYS OF SUMMER, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS), will sit down to have an intimate chat about Columbus’ career and process.

CLOSE

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HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE

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RETURN TO SEOUL ‘RETOUR A SEOUL’

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EAST COAST PREMIERE, NARRATIVE FEATURE, BELGIUM/NETHERLANDS/FRANCE, 2022, 104 MINUTES, FRENCH

Thirteen-year-old boys Léo (Eden Dambrine) and Rémi (Gustav De Waele) share an intense bond, but as their intimacy comes under scrutiny, their friendship fractures. In the aftermath, Léo builds his own sense of self while seeking answers from Remi’s mother, Sophie (Émilie Dequenne). In his brilliantly crafted sophomore feature, Belgian director Lukas Dhont delivers a visually rich, heartbreaking exploration of intimacy, shame and responsibility. Featuring breakout performances from its young stars and set against the stunning backdrop of the Belgian countryside, CLOSE was one of the most talked-about films at the Cannes Film Festival, winning the festival’s Grand Prix. An A24 release.

DIRECTOR: Lukas Dhont SCREENWRITERS: Lukas Dhont, Angelo Tijssens PRODUCERS: Michiel Dhont, Dirk Impens CAST: Eden Dambrine, Gustav De Waele, Émilie Dequenne, Léa Drucker

U.S. PREMIERE, NARRATIVE FEATURE, USA, 2022, 100 MINUTES, ENGLISH

Fed up with inaction against climate change, a crew of young environmental activists plan a bold mission to sabotage a major oil pipeline. Based on the controversial book of the same name by Andreas Malm, director Daniel Goldhaber’s debut feature is a radical case study on the fight for survival in the face of environmental catastrophe, powered by an outstanding ensemble cast of stellar young actors and dynamic cinematography. Fresh o its Toronto International Film Festival premiere, HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE delivers a potent blend of high-stakes heist thrills and unapologetic demands for action from a generation coming of age in today’s climate crisis.

DIRECTOR: Daniel Goldhaber SCREENWRITERS: Ariela Barer, Jordan Sjol, Daniel Goldhaber PRODUCERS: Isa Mazzei, Daniel Goldhaber, Ariela Barer, Adam Wyatt Tate, David Grove Churchill Viste CAST: Ariela Barer, Kristine Froseth, Lukas Gage, Forrest Goodluck, Sasha Lane, Jayme Lawson, Marcus Scribner, Jake Weary

NARRATIVE FEATURE, SOUTH KOREA/FRANCE/CAMBODIA/GERMANY/ BELGIUM/QATAR, 2022, 119 MINUTES, FRENCH/KOREAN/ENGLISH

Mercurial and impetuous, 25-year-old Frédérique “Freddie” Benoît (Park Ji-min) impulsively returns to her motherland of South Korea for the first time since her adoption to a French family. Inexperienced with both the native language and the nuances of Korean culture, she inelegantly sets out to track down her biological parents for answers—unknowingly embarking on a turbulent eight-year journey toward her own selfdiscovery. Featuring arrestingly sensory visuals and an electrifying performance from first-time actor Park, French Cambodian filmmaker Davy Chou’s stunning sophomore feature is a soulful meditation on identity, personhood and what makes a place home. A Sony Pictures Classics release.

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: Davy Chou PRODUCERS: Charlotte Vincent, Katia Khazak CAST: Park Ji-min, Oh Kwang-rok, Guka Han, Kim Sun-young

RODEO

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SUMMER WITH HOPE

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EAST COAST PREMIERE, NARRATIVE FEATURE, FRANCE, 2022, 105 MINUTES, FRENCH

In the gritty suburbs north of Paris, fiercely independent Julia (breakout star Julie Ledru) lives only for the thrill of motorcycling, stealing and scraping by in order to feed her hunger for the rev of an engine. When she meets an ultra-masculine motorbiking crime ring at an urban “rodeo,” Julia seems to finally find a family, but the escalating demands to earn her place begin to threaten her safety. Captured by dynamic, thrilling cinematography, director Lola Quivoron’s electric feature debut stunned the Cannes Film Festival with its roaring horsepower, death-defying acrobatics and tenderly crafted relationships. A Music Box Films release.

DIRECTOR: Lola Quivoron SCREENWRITERS: Lola Quivoron, Antonia Buresi PRODUCER: Charles Gillibert CAST: Julie Ledru, Yannis Lafki, Antonia Buresi, Cody Schroeder, Louis Sotton

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE, NARRATIVE FEATURE, CANADA/IRAN, 2022, 100 MINUTES, PERSIAN

In her second feature, writer/director Sadaf Foroughi delicately crafts a slow-burn coming-of-age drama that builds to a churning, heartwrenching emotional climax. As Omid (Mehdi Ghorbani) trains for a prestigious swimming competition with the help of his friend and coach Mani (Benyamin Peyrovani), the scrutiny of their families and community threatens their growing bond. Through powerful, poetic cinematography and set against the stunningly rugged landscape of the Caspian Sea, Foroughi tells a story that pits family responsibility against a desire for vulnerability in traditional patriarchal Iranian society.

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: Sadaf Foroughi PRODUCERS: Christina Piovesan, Kiarash Anvari, Sadaf Foroughi CAST: Leili Rashidi, Mehdi Ghorbani, Alireza Kamali, Benyamin Peyrovani

JURY

FRED BERNER

Fred Berner is a producer and director of award-winning feature films, television and theater. He is currently in production on MAESTRO for Netflix, a biopic about Leonard Bernstein directed by and starring Bradley Cooper. Through his production company, Berner produced the Oscar-winning POLLOCK, about the pioneer abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock, directed by Ed Harris; other feature credits include VANYA ON 42nd STREET, THE GREAT WHITE HYPE and THE BALLAD OF LITTLE JO. Berner’s TV credits include “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” “FBI: Most Wanted,” “The Menendez Murders,” “Chicago P.D.” and its spino s, “Law & Order: SVU” and “Law & Order.” In addition, Berner has directed a number of plays and the short film HAPPY.

JEB BRODY

Jeb Brody is currently president of production at Amblin Partners, where he oversees a slate of films produced under the company’s Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks Pictures banners, including 1917, FINCH and the upcoming THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER. Prior to Amblin, he oversaw production and acquisitions at Focus Features, where he was involved with DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, ANNA KARENINA and THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES, among many others. Over the past two decades, Brody has also worked with various companies as a producer or executive producer on such diverse movies as LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, CHOP SHOP, THE MUMMY and SOURCE CODE.

RAJENDRA ROY

Photo Credit: Peter Ross In 2007, Rajendra Roy joined The Museum of Modern Art as the Celeste Bartos Chief Curator of Film, where he leads MoMA’s initiatives to exhibit and preserve works from its vast collection. Twenty years ago, Raj joined HIFF as the director of programming (2002-2006) before becoming the artistic director (20062007). Raj is on the selection committee for New Directors/New Films, and has served on juries for Sundance, Berlin and the Film Independent Spirit Awards. He is a member of both the National Film Preservation Board and the AMPAS International Film Executive Committee, and he has lectured at events worldwide.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE, INDIA/UK/USA, 2022, 93 MINUTES, HINDI

For decades, Muslim brothers Saud and Nadeem have tirelessly devoted their lives to the quixotic e ort of protecting black kites—majestic birds of prey that are essential to the ecosystem and have been falling from New Delhi’s darkening skies at alarming rates. Amid pervasive environmental toxicity and social turbulence, the brothers spend day and night caring for these creatures in their makeshift avian basement hospital. Winner of the Documentary Grand Jury Prize at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, ALL THAT BREATHES is a mesmerizing chronicle of inter-species coexistence amidst an ever shifting social and environmental landscape. A Sideshow/ Janus Films release. Also screens in Compassion, Justice and Animal Rights.

DIRECTOR: Shaunak Sen PRODUCERS: Teddy Leifer, Aman Mann, Shaunak Sen

ALL THAT BREATHES

10/13 5PM EAST HAMPTON - UA1 10/14 11:15AM EAST HAMPTON - UA2

BOBI WINE: THE PEOPLE’S PRESIDENT

EAST COAST PREMIERE, DOCUMENTARY FEATURE, UGANDA/UK/USA, 2022, 121 MINUTES, ENGLISH

First-time co-directors Christopher Sharp and journalist Moses Bwayo tell the story of Bobi Wine, the musician turned politician leading the opposition to the 35-year regime in Uganda. A straightforward portrait turns into an astonishing record of an on-the-ground fight for democracy when Wine runs for president in 2021. Withstanding arrests, torture and violence from the government, Bobi Wine and his wife Barbie risk their own lives and the lives of their children to lead their country toward freedom. A brave exposition of an authoritarian government that highlights the power of documentary journalism, BOBI WINE: THE PEOPLE’S PRESIDENT gripped audiences at the Venice and Telluride Film Festivals this year. A National Geographic Documentary Films release.

DIRECTORS: Christopher Sharp, Moses Bwayo PRODUCERS: Christopher Sharp, John Battsek

10/8 2:30PM EAST HAMPTON - UA3 10/9 11AM EAST HAMPTON - UA3

IN HER HANDS

10/8 11:30AM EAST HAMPTON - UA1 10/9 11:30AM SOUTHAMPTON ARTS CENTER

NEW YORK PREMIERE, DOCUMENTARY FEATURE, USA/AFGHANISTAN, 2022, 93 MINUTES, ENGLISH/DARI/PASHTO

Zarifa Ghafari, Afghanistan’s youngest and only female mayor, braves regular assassination threats from the Taliban as she leads her small provincial city toward a better future built on education and equality for women. When it becomes clear that the Taliban will return to power once the U.S. leaves, Zarifa must choose between leaving for her family’s safety or staying to continue her country’s fight for freedom. Directors Tamana Ayazi and Marcel Mettelsiefen deliver astonishing insight into the time before, during and after the fall of Kabul, articulating what it means to lose your homeland and reminding the world that Afghanistan’s struggle for women’s rights continues. A Netflix release.

DIRECTORS: Tamana Ayazi, Marcel Mettelsiefen PRODUCERS: Juan Camilo Cruz, Jonathan Schaerf EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton

PRAY FOR OUR SINNERS

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UNDER THE INFLUENCE

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EAST COAST PREMIERE, DOCUMENTARY FEATURE, IRELAND, 2022, 81 MINUTES, ENGLISH

Director Sinéad O’Shea returns home to the small Irish town of Navan to shed light on the painful grip that the Catholic Church held over her community for decades. Skillfully weaving together rare revelatory interviews, archival footage and present-day investigations, she uncovers a dark history of abuse condoned by the Church, including the horrors of mother-and-baby homes and the persistent violence against schoolchildren. While exposing the codependent relationship among church, state and the Irish people that allowed for widespread abuse, PRAY FOR OUR SINNERS also reveals unlikely heroes and quiet victories, provides uplifting moments of closure and celebrates the resilience of Navan’s townspeople.

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: Sinéad O’Shea PRODUCERS: Sinéad O’Shea, Maya Derrington

NEW YORK PREMIERE, DOCUMENTARY FEATURE, USA, 2022, 100 MINUTES, ENGLISH

YouTuber turned filmmaker Casey Neistat explores the triumphs and consequences of internet culture in his first documentary feature, which captivated audiences at South by Southwest. UNDER THE INFLUENCE tracks the meteoric rise and fall of massively popular Vine and YouTube star David Dobrik, from the wild, often highly dangerous stunts of his “Vlog Squad” to disturbing allegations of complicity in a sexual assault scandal that threatened to cancel his success. With a finger on the pulse of the internet, Neistat skillfully examines the roles of stardom and accountability in the Wild West of digital entertainment.

DIRECTOR: Casey Neistat SCREENWRITER: Mark Monroe PRODUCERS: Christine Vachon, Casey Neistat, Mason Plotts

JURY

OPAL H. BENNETT

Opal H. Bennett is an Emmywinning co-producer and shorts producer at POV. Her first season curating POV Shorts won the 2020 IDA Award for Best Short Form Series. Previously, Bennett was shorts programmer and director of artist development at DOCNYC and senior programmer at Athena Film Festival. She has also worked with the Nantucket Film Festival, the Aspen ShortsFest and the Tribeca Film Festival. She is a programming consultant for the March on Washington Film Festival. A member of the AMPAS Documentary branch, Bennett has participated on various festival juries and film grant selection committees. A Columbia Law grad, Bennett holds a master’s from the London School of Economics and a B.A. from NYU.

JORDAN HOFFMAN

Jordan Ho man is a Queens, New York-based entertainment writer whose work can currently be read at Vanity Fair, The A.V. Club, The Guardian and The Times of Israel. He is the co-author of The Star Trek Book of Friendship, and is the 2022 chairperson of the New York Film Critics Circle.

REGINA K. SCULLY

Regina K. Scully is the founder and CEO of Artemis Rising Foundation, dedicated to media, education and the arts that transform our culture. A social entrepreneur, media activist and filmmaker, she has produced over 200 documentary films focused on some of the most pressing social justice issues of our time. Scully is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning and Academy-nominated producer, whose notable films include WHAT WOULD SOPHIA LOREN DO?, FANTASTIC FUNGI, FED UP and WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? Scully is also the founding sponsor of the Athena Film Festival (NYC).

“Ducloux” by Frank Relle

NATURE’S WAY

A Southampton Arts Center exhibition awakens our consciousness to the importance of trees. BY PRIYANKA KUMAR

In a world that thrives on ef ciency and technological advancement, it has perhaps never been more important to nd ways to slow down and nd meaning in the natural world.

A Celebration of Trees, on view at the Southampton Arts Center from October 1 through December 18, 2022, is a multimedia exhibit curated by Laurie Dolphin, with Daniela Kronemeyer and Coco Myers. It’s designed with the intention of educating and expanding thought and consciousness about the world’s vast network of trees, life-forms on this planet that have helped stabilize and bene t environmental conditions for 300 million years.

“This vision grew like a tree. It crystallized in my mind during COVID, in March 2020,” says Dolphin about the birth of the exhibition. “I was isolated and living in Shelter Island, surrounded by trees: oak, maple, cherry trees and they started talking to me—or shall I say, I started to listen to them.”

The exhibition is as diverse as they come, from the mediums on display to the peoples and knowledge it represents. A Celebration of Trees features over 70 artists from all over the world, including from Germany, Greece, Tibet, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ireland, Jamaica, Scotland and more. Work represented includes that of several Indigenous tribes, including the Hopi, Mbuti, Shipibo, and the Shinnecock Indian Nation.

The show’s artists explore humanity’s relationship with trees through photography, painting, silkscreen, sculpture, lm and poetry. The exhibit takes this one step further, complementing presented works with panel discussions, documentary lms, art workshops and live performances.

Per Dolphin, the call to action of the exhibition is to awaken awareness about trees, and help viewers understand their importance to us and our responsibility to care for them. “We are all interconnected,” she says. “We need trees for our own sustainability, and they need us.” southamptonartscenter.org

AT A GLANCE

Celebrate health, healing and culture this autumn in the Hamptons. BY PRIYANKA KUMAR

OCTOBER 2 Garden Dialogues: Water Mill, NY Learn from landscape architects and their clients about the secrets to creating great gardens while visiting some exceptional landscapes. This Garden Dialogue will be led by Christopher LaGuardia, Ian Hanbach and Daniel Thorp. Multiple locations. $200. Visit tclf.org to learn more.

OCTOBER 8 Wölffer Estate Annual Harvest Party Celebrate the 32nd annual grape harvest at Wölffer Estate Vineyard. Enjoy live music, an international menu and fun activities for the whole family, all while taking in the untouched beauty of this Sagaponack vineyard. Wine Club member admission: $165 (two per member); general admission: $175 per person; ages 3 to 20: $95. 3312 Montauk Hwy., Sagaponack; wolffer.com

OCTOBER 14 The New Pause Symposium Join Naomi Watts as she co-hosts The Swell’s inaugural The New Pause Symposium. The afternoon will consist of thoughtprovoking mini-talks, panel discussions, audience roundtables and comedy, all featuring experts discussing the changes menopause brings, followed by cocktails. Tickets from $150-$500; New York City; email events@theswell.com for more information.

OCTOBER 15 Artists’ Table Brunch Start with an intimate presentation and studio visit with the artists in residence at The Watermill Center. Follow it up with a lovely farm-to-table meal prepared by Dina Lombardi, a beloved private chef who started her career working under New York chefs David Bouley, Nobu Matsuhisa and Gabriel Kreuther. From $108. 39 Watermill Towd Rd., Water Mill; watermillcenter.org

OCTOBER 22 Think Gala Join Thinking Huts for an evening of learning about the impact the organization has made so far in increasing access to education for students around the world. It will include an exclusive outdoor video screening of the group’s work, a silent auction, socializing and an award ceremony. The theme is “Halloween in the Garden Cocktail Party.” From $200. The Maidstone, 207 Main St., East Hampton; thinkinghuts.org

OCTOBER 29-30 East Hampton Village Fall Festival Weekend Celebrate the arrival of fall, the harvest season and the East Hampton community with food booths from multiple vendors, music, and a range of lively, family-friendly seasonal entertainment at this weekend-long event. Free. Herrick Park, 67 Newtown Lane, East Hampton; easthampton chamber.com

NOVEMBER 4 TALK: 2022 Road Show Artist: Denise Silva-Dennis with Corinne Erni Listen to artist Denise “Weetahmoe” SilvaDennis in conversation with Corinne Erni, deputy director of curatorial affairs and senior curator of ArtsReach and Special Projects at the Parrish Art Museum, and learn more about Silva-Dennis’ 2022 Parrish Road Show exhibition, Wunne Ohke–The Return to Good Ground. Program donation $25. 279 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill; parrishart.org.

NOVEMBER 5 FILM: The Hidden Life of Trees Engage with the process of life, death and regeneration that renowned forester and writer Peter Wohlleben observed during his travels through Germany, Poland, Sweden and Canada, in this enlightening documentary. 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton; southamptonarts center.org

NOVEMBER 26 TALK: The Importance of Old-Growth Forests Join author and ecologist Carl Sa na and conservationist, ecologist and writer Joan Maloof for a discussion on the importance of old-growth forests as part of Southampton Arts Center’s fall exhibition, A Celebration of Trees. southamptonarts center.org

SCAN FOR FULL LISTING

Gary R. DePersia

Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker m 516.380.0538 | gdp@corcoran.com

Swept Away On 3.5 Acres Along 410’ of Bulk-Headed Bayfront

Shelter Island. Heroic water views are just the prologue to the story that describes this idyllic 3.5-acre bayfront compound with bulkheaded waterfront looking west, southwest over West Neck Harbor A gated drive welcomes you past a sea of verdant lawn onto the property that is home to a serene residence spanning over 410’ of beachfront. Originally designed by Bertrand Goldberg, a disciple of Frank Lloyd Wright, the one level, 6,000 SF, 6+ bedroom modern edifice was rebuilt and expanded in 2002 by the renowned East End builder John Caramagna. Heated stone floors fan out to a living room under soaring mahogany clad ceilings. Anchored by a dramatic stone fireplace, this three-sided gathering room, while sundrenched by day with a vast liquid backdrop, will transform by evening into the focal point of all your entertaining. The completely outfitted, eat-in kitchen is more than adequate to service the dining room. Begin and end your days in the master wing offering sleeping chamber with expansive water views, seductive lounging area and spa-like bath. Family and fortunate weekend invitees will enjoy five additional bedrooms, including a few with sitting rooms. A media room, gym, powder room and a two-car garage complete this stunning retreat. Outside both covered and uncovered patios look out to the bay and the 250’ dock fashioned from imported Ipe, A rear courtyard enjoys views of the recently built 14’ X 74’ heated pool, smartly designed and insulated for yearround use and perhaps out to a future tennis court. A 22,000-gallon underground cistern irrigates an organic landscape plan which include Long Island native meadow, cedar grove forest, bayside gravel garden and a beach sand fire pit. Inquire about the one-acre parcel found at the gateway to the estate. With protected views across the bay to the nature preserve of Shell Beach, easy access to both the North and South Forks as well as proximity to the beaches, shops and various restaurants that dot the 29 square mile island oasis, this fully bulkheaded, rare waterfront estate awaits your personal tour. Get Swept Away today.

Co-Exclusive. $13.95M WEB# 894688

NUMEROLOGY

A by-the-numbers look at the life of former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, whose Apple TV+ series, Gutsy, is out now.

The year Hillary Diane Rodham was born, on October 26, in Chicago.

33

Clinton was featured on the cover of Time magazine more than 30 times between 1992 and 2016.

956

During her four-year tenure as Secretary of State, Clinton traveled over 956,000 miles.

3

The eldest of three siblings, she has two younger brothers: Hugh Rodham and the late Tony Rodham.

“Do all the good you can, for all the people you can, in all the ways you can, for as long as you can.”

67

Clinton served as the 67th Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013 under President Barack Obama, overseeing his department of foreign policy, among other responsibilities.

She won a Grammy for Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Album for the audio version of her 1996 book, It Takes a Village, at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards.

13

At about age 13, in the early ’60s, she wrote a letter to NASA to inquire about advice for becoming an astronaut. She was informed that NASA didn’t accept applications from women.

39 8

Including her 2019 release, The Book of Gutsy Women— which she co-authored with her daughter, Chelsea Clinton and is now an eight-part docuseries on Apple TV+—she has authored eight books.

12

Clinton served as the rst lady of Arkansas for 12 years, during which she balanced family, law and public service.

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